Chapter 1266 - 1268: News (Part 2)
What kind of businesses does the Wang Group have under its umbrella?
Aside from the former global retail, herbal medicine companies, energy companies, Wang Group also has ventures in venture capital, IT, real estate, gaming, live streaming, pharmaceuticals, and more.
How much profit can these businesses generate?
Combined, it’s enough to secure a spot on the Forbes list without a doubt. In fact, Wang Daoran is already there, though he’s not ranked very high.
Among these businesses, there’s hidden power. A large part of Wang Family’s hidden power comes from businesses that cannot see the light of day, namely gambling dens, trafficking, drug trading of herbs and equipment.
Some might wonder, with so many legitimate businesses making money, why would the Wang Family risk dealing with these legal minefields?
The answer is simple: desire is endless, the bolder the ambition, the bigger the risk.
Deng Ningge, a critic from Sai Continent, once said: "When there is appropriate profit, capital will become extremely fearless. If there is 10% profit, it will be widely used; 20%, it will become lively; 50%, it will encourage positive adventure; 100%, it will disregard all laws; 300%, it will defy crime, even the danger of being hanged."
These words were even quoted by Marx in "Capital."
So, pursuing profit by touching the legal bottom line is not surprising.
These activities, slipping through the cracks of the law, have been carried out by the Wang Family for many years now, without any major incident, because they have fed all the necessary people quite well. If they are kept content, naturally no one will have the spare time to meddle in these matters.
Yet, within less than a year, these shady businesses have encountered two major incidents!
One was when Lin Tian managed to trace the equipment transaction back through Du Dahai, gaining a bargaining chip to negotiate with the Wang Family.
This time again, because this lad stirred up trouble in the gambling den.
Adding to Wang Daoran’s frustration was that he hadn’t even retaliated for Wang Sicong’s matter, yet he got pre-empted?
Wang Daoran wants revenge, eagerly. Unfortunately, he is too occupied to deal with that damned bastard now; severing ties with the gambling dens is the utmost priority.
With these illicit industries, each step Wang Daoran takes is akin to treading on thin ice. He has prepared ample backups, yet with the matter blowing up so big, he is still left uneasy.
As Wang Daoran was on a call, the door to his office was knocked again, two short knocks followed by a long one, and Zhou walked in, appearing anxious.
Wang Daoran could tell immediately there was another issue, exchanged a few more words with the person on the call, and then courteously hung up.
Without waiting for Wang Daoran to inquire, Zhou proactively said, "The electronic gambling den and the underground gambling den have both been reported, and Security Management Institute has already sealed off both venues."
"What?!"
The worst fear materialized. Although Wang Daoran was mentally prepared for it, hearing it firsthand, he still felt a dizzying whirl.
One gambling den was already driving him nuts, three...
To make matters worse, the same method was used again, enthusiastic citizens reported, then the Security Management Institute sealed them off.
Where the hell are all these enthusiastic citizens coming from?
...
Indeed, those reporting the three gambling dens were not any enthusiastic citizens.
The most interesting was the third site, the underground gambling den, reported jointly by three individuals. Among them, one was DS who had three fingers chopped off, one was Mrs. Liu, and the other was a middle-aged man who smashed machines and got kicked out.
Apart from these three, inside the gambling den, there was Zhang Ya’Er helping from the inside, no one else escaped, and she even provided access to the deeply hidden drug den to Lin Tian. And it was all wiped out.
Now the fun escalated; initially, just one gambling den getting sealed was already on the news and hot searches, now it’s three, consequences imaginable.
The media’s sense was sharp; the moment the gambling den was reported, someone started following up on the news, then consecutively three sites were sealed, not sparing any coverage.
Overwhelming news covered the entire web, those influencers’ hot searches paled in comparison, nearly everyone nationwide was buzzing about these matters.
Amid endless curses, there were also people focusing on the follow-up, given the significance of this, more reports will surely follow, like who is the owner of the gambling dens? How large are the gambling sums? The whereabouts of the drug lords.
These are what the netizens are paying attention to.
The bigger the public opinion, the greater the pressure on the Inspectorate.
The police attempted to have the cases transferred from Security Management Institute, yet they wouldn’t budge, not even when the Inspector General of Kanyue City came in person!
This is typical of Security Management Institute’s function style, somewhat arrogant. Furthermore, the operation includes influence from four major ancient martial families.
Neither persuasion nor pressure worked, the cases couldn’t be transferred, causing such an uproar that higher-ups instructed both the police and Security Management Institute to jointly investigate.
This is the most the police could strive for, though some might consider it illegitimate, a breach in some views for stealing the limelight, as Security Management Institute announced the closure of all three venues.
Hearing Security Management Institute was involved, Wang Daoran couldn’t ease his mind, skipping lunch.
He awaited a call, awaited the Ancient Martial the Wang Family’s call; he couldn’t meddle in this matter anymore. Or should we say, incapable of doing so.
Yet to his disappointment, even as the news has been out for this long, they still haven’t contacted him. Wang Daoran wanted to make this call himself but reconsidered and abandoned this idea; at such critical moments, they probably don’t wish to call him either, do they?
Suddenly, Wang Daoran thought of something. Could it be that they intend to sever him like a gecko’s tail?
Thinking of this possibility, Wang Daoran’s heart raced uncontrollably, unable to remain seated. A ruthless gleam flashed across his eyes, as he was about to make a move, his phone rang.
Another unknown encrypted number.
"Hello!" Wang Daoran answered. Before hearing any voice, he hadn’t a clue who it was.
"Mr. Wang, stay calm."
Just eight words made Wang Daoran sweat nervously from his forehead, recognizing the voice as that of Wang Manzi, Man Laozu!
Hearing this voice slightly relaxed the tension within Wang Daoran.
"Security Management Institute’s involvement may bring us substantial pressure, but withstand it. I don’t think I need to teach you how to decide. Clean up the tail properly, we will endure the upper pressure!" Wang Manzi’s rough voice said.
"I understand."
After just a few words, the call ended. Wang Daoran sat dumbly in his chair, eyes closed, pondering something. He knew Wang Manzi was reassuring him. They all bore the surname Wang, sharing glory, sharing failure!